Protection device against spills for liquid containers

ABSTRACT

A spill protection device for containers of liquids includes a main body member (a) and a covering wall ( 1 ) having an opening ( 2 ). Extending downwardly from the covering wall ( 1 ) is a housing ( 3 ) which engages the rim ( 21 ) of the application container (b). The main body (a) includes a spillway ( 7 ) and a removal grip ( 12 ). When the protection device is applied, its housing ( 3 ) protects the rim ( 21 ) which is covered by the covering wall ( 1 ). The possible accidental spills or drips occur on the main body (a) of the protection device, without affecting the rims ( 21 ) of the container (b) which are protected within the housing ( 3 ) and by the covering wall ( 1 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a spill protection device for containers of liquids which protects and maintains the rims of the container clean, even when there are involuntary spills of the contents of the container during usage.

[0002] There are several liquid products provided in containers which are not used all at once. In fact, it is common for products such as paints, varnishes, lacquer, plasticizers and adhesives to be used little by little in small amounts. That is, a limited amount of product is taken out of the container each time the product is utilized. Generally, such products are provided in wide-mouthed containers with snap-on caps which engage the rims around the mouth.

[0003] However, one disadvantage of such containers is that when portions of the contents are removed from the container, there are involuntary spills that may engage the container rim and adjacent areas to the rims. Later, when the product dries, an uneven crust or deposit forms on the rims of the container.

[0004] Due to this phenomenon, oftentimes after the necessary amount of the product has been taken from the container, it becomes difficult to replace the cap on the rim so that it is fully closed. Therefore, the closure of the container is defective, thus allowing evaporation and premature drying of the product that may render the contents of the container useless.

[0005] In cases in which the product is suitable for use and is used on different occasions, each time the problem worsens because of the new accumulation of crusts or deposits on the rim

[0006] Invented to solve these inconveniences, the present spill protection device consists of a main body housing whose covering wall protects the rim of the container to which it is structurally arranged to fit the rim of the container. The housing results from the convergence of an internal frame that is useful for dripping product into the central opening, an external frame that protects the side wall of the container and a ledge that fits in the annular groove existing on many containers.

[0007] As the main body housing is elastically deformable and includes a removal lug, once the necessary portion of the product has been used, the device can be easily removed from the container, exposing the rim of the container, which is absolutely free of material. The container cap can then be replaced, thus obtaining a tight closure which guarantees the preservation of the product for future use.

[0008] The structure of the device allows for its utilization as a spillway or funnel for those cases in which, for example, large amounts of product should be poured into another container.

[0009] In various embodiments, this device is compatible with the addition to its annular body of means such as draining and hanging racks for brush and roller grips.

[0010] The present invention also allows for different embodiments in which it may be applied to non-grooved rim containers.

[0011] The present invention is also compatible with those shapes in which the external edge, apart from its protective function, provides a suitable surface to display messages and/or indicia related to publicity, recommendations and decoration.

[0012] Finally, it should be noted that, although some application examples of the present device have been mentioned, for example, paint containers, it is apparent that the present invention is suitable to be applied to different containers and different products in which it may solve the above mentioned problems.

III. ILLUSTRATION

[0013] For the sake of clarity and to understand the objects of the invention, the present device is illustrated in the different figures in which it has been represented in one of the preferred embodiments, by way of example and not by way of limitation:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the general shape of the present invention, with a section cut therein which permits the lower housing to be viewed;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention showing the central opening, the auxiliary members for hanging brushes, the spillway and the removal lug;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device of the present invention showing the housing;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an elevated side view of the present invention showing the projection of the spillway and the removal grip with respect to the main body;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view according to the plan taken along line V-V in FIG. 2; in which the housing can be clearly seen.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view according to the plan taken along line V-V in FIG. 2; showing how the device fits the rim of the container;

[0020]FIG. 6A is an enlarged detail of FIG. 6 showing the device fitting in the rim of the container;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention which may be applied to non-grooved rim containers; and

[0022]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view according to line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. LIST OF REFERENCES (a) Spill protection device; (b) Container of liquid substances; (1) Covering wall; (2) Central opening (or open central part) (3) Housing portion [for the rim (21) of the container (b)] (4) Internal frame member of the main body (a); (5) External frame of the main body (a); (6) Annular ledge [of the housing in the annular groove (22)]; (7) Annular depression at the bottom of the housing (3) intended for the peripheral annular ledge (23) (8) Spillway member; (9) Side retention walls of the spillway (8); (10) Beginning end edge of the spillway (8); (11) Download end of the spillway (8); (12) Removal lug; (13) Hanging racks for brush grips; (14) Fluted side for draining brushes; (15) Gaps; (20) Side walls of the liquid container (b); (21) Rim of the container (b); (22) Annular groove which fits in the rim (21); (23) Peripheral annular ledge on the rim (21); (24) Diametrically opposed openings of the external frame (5)

IV—MAIN OBJECT

[0023] To achieve the specified objects of the present invention, the spill protection device for liquid containers may be applied to a grooved rim 21 or a non-grooved rim 22 that defines the limit of the opening of the liquid container (b). The spill protection device is characterized in that it comprises a main body portion (a) having an opening therein. The liquid container has a rim 21 which is engaged by a covering wall 1 of the spill protection device. The device includes a covering wall 1 and a housing portion 3 for structurally engaging the rim 21 of the container (b). The housing portion 3 includes a pair of frames, an internal frame 4 and an external frame 5, which engage and surround the rim 21 of the container (b). The internal frame 4 acts as a spillway means for liquids to drip into the container (b), and the external frame 5 defines the external limits of the housing on the rim 21 of the container (b).

V—DESCRIPTION

[0024] Specifically, the present invention comprises a spill protection device (a) for liquid containers which consist of a main body (a) and a central opening 2.The device includes a covering wall 1 and a housing portion 3 that fits onto the rim 21 of the application container (b). The main body (a) includes also a spillway member 8 and a removal grip member 12.

[0025] More particularly, the present spill protection device (a) may be applied to containers (b) containing liquid substances. These containers (b) generally comprise a bottom from which side walls 20 rise, and at the end opposite from the bottom define a container mouth and a rim 21 marking the limit of the container mouth.

[0026] The device is mainly formed by a main body (a), elastically deformable, which is structurally arranged to engage the rim 21 of the container (b). This main body (a) is formed by a covering wall 1 and which includes a housing 3 extending from the lower surface thereof for engagement with the rim 21 of the application container (b), so that said covering wall 1 overlies the rim 21 of the container (b).

[0027] The housing 3 is formed by an internal frame 4 and an external frame 5. Both frames 4 and 5 complement the covering wall 1 to form the housing 3. The internal frame 4 acts as a spillway means for liquids to drip within the limits of the container (b) mouth, and the external frame (5) defines the external wedging limits onto the rim 21 of the container (b). Between both frames 4 and 5, there is an annular ledge 6 which is structurally arranged to be wedged into the annular groove 22 of the rim 21.

[0028] Furthermore, from the main body (a) a spillway 8 projects outwardly. Beginning end 10 at the open central part 2 and finishing at a download end 11 towards which a pair of side retention walls 9 converges.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the open main body a is provided with hanging members 13 for engaging the grips of the brushes. These hanging members 13 are one or more depressions formed in the covering wall 1 around the central opening 2 and have retentive borders for forced reception of the grips. The open main body (a) also provides a dripping member 14 for brushes. This dripping member 14 comprises a fluted section to be contacted by brushes, whose flutes lead into the central opening (2).

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the main body (a) of the device has its housing 3 formed only by the external 5 and internal 4 frame members. This variation is applicable to containers (b) whose rims 21 are non-grooved. Furthermore, in this case both frame members 4 and 5 partially overlap the side walls 20 adjacent to the rim 21.

[0031] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the external frame 5 has two diametrically opposed openings, in the shape of gaps 15, whose function is to allow the projection of the articulated ends of the grips that some containers (b) include. The main body (a) includes a spillway 8 formed by an oblique outfall channel which cuts cross-sectionally through the internal frame 4. This spillway 8 begins near the lower border of said internal frame 4 and, affecting the covering wall 1, finishes adjacently to the upper border of the external frame 5. At the opposite end of the spillway 8, the main body (a) is open and finishes in two free ends in the shape of holed ears. These ears and their holes form two removal grips 12 of the device with respect to the container (b) to which it is applied.

[0032] Finally, in the embodiment applicable to non-grooved rims 21, the external frame 5 may extend in the form of a flap surrounding the side wall 20 of the container (b) to which it is applied. In this manner, the external face of the external frame 5 provides a suitable surface to place messages and pictures, both for decoration and commercial purposes.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Once the lid of the application container (b) has been removed, the rim 21 of the opening is exposed for application of the device to the container opening. As the device is applied, the housing portion 3 engages rim 21 which is covered by the covering wall 1. The fixing takes place because the external frame 5 acts as the external limit of the housing 3 and the annular ledge 6 fits into the annular groove 22 of the rim 21 of the container (b).

[0034] Under these conditions, the liquid substance, for example paint, can be taken out of the container (b), both by pouring it through the spillway 8 and by means of other elements such as brushes, rollers or smaller containers. In any case, accidental spilling or dripping will take place on the main body (a) of the protection device, without affecting the rim 21 of the container (b) which is housed inside the housing 3 and protected by the covering wall 1.

[0035] Once removal activities have been finished, the spill protection device may be readily removed from the rim 21 of the container (b) by means of the removal grip 12. By pulling the grip 12, the rim 21 of the container (b) will be uncovered and absolutely clean, thus making it possible for the lid to be replaced without contamination. It is apparent that when the present invention is put into practice, modifications may be made regarding certain construction and shape details, without departing from the basic principles which are clearly encompassed in the following claims. 

Having specially described and determined the nature of the present invention, and how it may be put into practice, claim is made as of exclusive right and property:
 1. A spill protection device for containers of liquids which is structurally arranged to engage the rim—non-grooved or grooved—which surrounds the mouth of the liquid container, comprising a main body portion having a covering wall and an opening therein; a housing portion for said container rim, positioned underneath said covering wall; said housing portion is comprised of at least a pair of frame members, an internal frame member and an external frame member which are structurally arranged to engage the rim of the container; said internal frame member provides a spillway means for liquids to drip into the mouth of the container; and said external frame member provides the external limits of the housing on the rim of the container.
 2. The spill protection device for containers of liquids in accordance with claim 1, comprising an open main body consisting of a covering wall on the rim of the container mouth; an annular housing underneath said covering wall for said container rim, said housing being formed by a pair of frames—one internal and one external—surrounding the rim, with said internal frame acting as a dripping means for liquid into the container and said outer frame defining the outer limits of the housing, with an annular ledge in the groove of the rim.
 3. The spill protection device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said main body portion includes a spillway member which extends from said opening outwardly and terminates at one end toward which a pair of side retaining walls flows.
 4. The spill protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said main body portion and opening therein includes hanging racks for brushes.
 5. A spill protection device in accordance with claims 1 and 2, wherein said opening in said main body portion includes a draining member to facilitate draining of brushes.
 6. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said hanging racks are recesses in the border of the opening, in said main body portion.
 7. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said draining member comprises a fluted section to be contacted by the brushes to permit drainage into the mouth of the container.
 8. A spill protection device in accordance with claims 1 and 2, wherein the main body portion includes a removal grip which projects therefrom.
 9. A spill protection device in accordance with claims 1 and 2, wherein the protection device is comprised of an elastically deformable material.
 10. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 1, which is structurally arranged to engage the rim having internal and external facings which surround the mouth of a container, including in combination: a main body portion having a covering wall and a housing portion for engaging the rim of the container, said housing portion having a pair of internal and external frame members which project downwardly from said covering wall to engage the rim of the container; a removal grip formed at the free ends of said main body portion with said internal frame member overlapping the internal facing of said application container and said external frame which overlaps the external face of said application container; and a spillway formed by an outfall channel which cuts through said internal frame member.
 11. A spill protection device in accordance with claims 1 and 2, wherein said device is removable from the mouth of the container.
 12. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 1, comprising an annular body consisting of a covering wall from which a pair of frames, inner and outer, project cross-sectionally; a covering wall having underneath a housing opening on the container rim; an inner frame overlapping the inner faces of said container and an outer frame which, overlapping the outer faces of said container, supplements said inner frame and covering wall in the forming of the said housing opening; and a spillway formed by an outfall channel which cuts through said inner frame.
 13. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 1 comprising an annular body, elastically deformable, consisting of a covering wall from which a pair of frames, inner and outer, project cross-sectionally; a covering wall having underneath a housing opening on the container rim; an inner frame overlapping the inner faces of said container and an outer frame which, overlapping the outer faces of said container, supplements said inner frame and covering wall in the forming of the said housing opening; and a spillway formed by an outfall channel which cuts through said inner frame.
 14. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 13 wherein the spillway is formed by an oblique outfall channel which cuts cross-sectionally through the inner frame up to, at least, the areas adjacent to the upper border of the outer frame.
 15. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, at the least, the outer frame constitutes a message-carrying means.
 16. A spill protection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outer frame extends in the manner of a flap, having a pair of openings diametrically opposed serving as passageways for the ends of the grip part of the container. 